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April 4, 2023

The Ancient Translation That Paired the Song of Songs with the Exodus

“As they sat in shul all those centuries ago, they could hear the Song of Songs, and feel hope for the final redemption.”

In many Ashkenazi congregations, the Song of Songs is read publicly on the Sabbath that falls during Passover. This custom stems from the traditional rabbinic understanding that this book’s portrayal of romantic love is an allegory for the love between God and the people of Israel. But how did this allegorical reading establish a connection to Passover, first mentioned in the 13th century? Sheila Tuller Keiter points to a targum, or rabbinically approved translation:

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